Nostalgia ain't what it used to be

Some Thoughts About 'We Americans'

Date: 14 May, 2000

By: Chief

ust who are 'We Americans' anyway?

With all that has been televised, written about, talked about, photographed and subsequently distributed world wide about this 'Cuban kid' illegally in our country, in America. The question which comes to mind is just 'who' is an American? Indeed, what is an American?

Was Elian's mother right or wrong. The answer is of course moot, she is dead.

But what of us? How many members of our own family heritage perished coming to this country? How many members of our own family heritage came to this country after the year 1790 (the first enumeration of people) without proper immigration papers?

What color are we Americans? Does it matter? When wounded, do we not all bleed the same color?

What is our language? Is not our version of english interlaced with French, German, Latin, Spanish, Gaelic, to name but a few. It most certainly is.

Why did our individual forefathers come to this country in the first place? I submit that is unique to each family here today. Suffice to say, each came here for a reason. Some entered lawfully, most I believe did not.

Do we Americans embrace the Constitution as the Supreme law of the land? Or do we defile it and use it for some, yet not for others?

Are we Americans based on sovereign rights? Or are we Americans only if we can show our papers (". . .your papers please")?

Are we Americans because liberty flows through our being like the wind? Or are we Americans because of the color of ones skin?

I submit that before we Americans decide to throw someone out of this country ... we each need to take a long hard look in the mirror.